IntroductionThis is the story of three young friends, who travel from Greece to
France in search of a better creative environment. Back in 1968 a military
regime has taken over the government in Greece and just as many other Greek
artists, Vangelis Papathanassiou, Demis Roussos and Lucas Sideras decide to
leave their country. A fourth friend, Argyris Koulouris has to stay behind to
fulfil his army duty. Although aiming to travel to England, Vangelis, Demis
and Lukas first get in trouble as they are not allowed to enter the UK due to their
work-permits, and then get stuck in Paris due to a transportation strike. By
that time they decide to stay in Paris, and sign up with the Mercury record
label as the band "Aphrodite's Child", with the help of Pierre Sberro.

Their first single "Rain and tears", released in May 1968,
immediately strikes gold and becomes a huge hit worldwide. The song plays in
France during the student riots, and is an instant success in France and other
countries in Europe. Due to the success of the single it is time to record a full
album "End of the world". The title song of the album, released
in October 1968, becomes the
second single of Aphrodite's Child. A third single "Valley of sadness"
is also shortly issued in France, but later quickly withdrawn.

Tracklist and Credits

End of the world

Don't try to catch a river

Mister
Thomas

Rain and tears

The grass is no green

Valley of sadness

You always stand in my way

The shepherd and the moon

Day of the fool

All songs composed by E. Papathanassiou.
All lyrics written by Boris Bergman.

1969 End of the world / You always
stand in my way Mercury 132 502 MCF France/Belgium/Holland/West-Germany/Italy/Spain/Turkey/Denmark/Singapore/Chile
1968 End of the world / You always
stand in my way Mercury Greece/UK/Peru
1968 End of the world / You always
stand in my way Philips 40587 Canada/USA
1968 End of the world / You always
stand in my way Philips SFL-1202 Japan